It's always important to ask some crucial questions from the seller of your new home. No home is 100% perfect, and you want to make sure that you are aware of whatever issues the house may have. While some sellers may volunteer that information, it is not incorrect to assume that most will not, hence the need to ask these questions.
- How old are the roof and other structures in the house? Older portions of the structure such as the roof may be very expensive to replace. On the average, an asphalt roof may last as long as 15 to 20 years before needing repairs or replacement, so factor in the age of the roof before you decide to make your offer to the buyer. Find out about the material used to make the roof too, as some are more expensive than others when it comes to replacement. You should also ask for documentation about repair work done on any part of the house, so you have it for future references.
- Have there been any water-related issues? Issues like burst pipes, flooding or water poisoning are sometimes reoccurring incidences. So you need to know ahead of time. Some neighborhoods are more prone to flooding during flood season and knowing these details might be crucial to your convenient stay. Knowledge of previous occurrences will help you keep an eye out for repeat situations so you can address them early enough.
- What kind of sewage system does the house have? Does the house have a septic tank or is it connected to the local sewage system? You need to be aware of that. A home with its own septic tank needs to be pumped out on average every 4 to 5 years unless property care for with an enzyme treatment, so knowing the care history or the last time of its service will give you an idea of when you might need to pump it again after you move in.
- What is the neighborhood like? You may assume you are just buying a property, but you are buying more than that. You are investing in the value of the neighborhood too. So you should ask questions about the type of community it is. Do drugs and gangs overrun it? Is the public system good enough for your kids? Is it too close to the freeway? Being aware of some this information may also affect your decision to buy or not. If you want to learn more about that neighborhood, view reviews of it online and talk to a knowledgeable real estate agent.